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Children in care
We don’t want to see any child turn 18 without legal status, unable to pursue their dreams.
Securing status for children in local authority care
We don’t want to see any child turn 18 without legal status, unable to pursue their work or study dreams or access the social safety net if things go wrong. Children need to be secure and safe to stay here. This is particularly important for children who are in local authority care.
“Getting immigration status sorted early would make such a big difference — it would give children in care a sense of belonging, stability, and hope.”
Too many children in care are growing up without status, often without even realising that there is a problem until they are 18. This is partly because social workers often don’t know how to identify and support children who need immigration help, but also because even if they do, the complex immigration and citizenship rules do not provide sufficient clear and straightforward routes for children in care to settle and become British.
“In most cases, young people in care who don’t have settled status are in that situation through no fault of their own. They’re there because their parents or guardians have failed them, and they’re already dealing with the pain and insecurity of not having their own family. They shouldn’t also have to go through the struggle of feeling like they don’t belong in the country they call home.”
We’re working to change that, by supporting local authorities to improve their practice and understanding in supporting children to resolve their status. To make that possible, we are asking the Home Office to create clear routes for children in care and care leavers to settle their immigration status. Children and young people who are living through these issues themselves are working with us to make sure their voices and experiences are heard at every level of local and national government.
Our asks for local authorities
1. Adopt a passports for all policy. By applying for a British passport for all children in care, local authorities will know which of their children are already British.
2. Work with GMIAU to ensure systems, care proceedings, and care plans are designed to capture children's nationality and immigration status at the earliest point.
3. Work with GMIAU to deliver training to staff, guides on how to resolve common issues, and immigration consultation sessions about specific children.
You can email media@gmiau.org if you are interested in signing our pledge as a local authority.
Our asks for the Home Office
1. A clear route for children in care to apply for indefinite leave to remain within the immigration rules.
2. A change to citizenship guidance to include a presumption that if a child is in care, they will be granted citizenship.
3. A clear route for care leavers to apply for indefinite leave to remain within the immigration rules.
Briefing: Settlement and citizenship for children in care
Our briefing for local authorities centres what young people want them to know about settlement and citizenship. They emphasised the importance of:
Having secure immigration status, or citizenship
Resolving status and citizenship early
Understanding the emotional impact of applications
“It’s really important because young people in care shouldn’t have to go through all that stress on their own. If it’s sorted early, it saves so much worry and makes sure no one is left without status when they turn 18.”
Manchester City Council's pledge
In 2021, Manchester City Council became first the local authority in the UK to publicly pledge its support to children in care and care leavers with insecure immigration status. They promised to identify all children in care with insecure immigration issues, support them in getting legal advice, and support them on a pathway to citizenship.
In 2022 a national pledge was launched, led by South London Refugee Association and Coram, endorsed by GMIAU.
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